Holiday Prep

Today was a day of preparation for our journey south for a Vincennes Thanksgiving. Daddy loaded the two of you in our chariot and away we went for some final acquisitions: we made a run to Lowe’s to get Mommy some paint and paint-brush rollers so she can finalize her decorative redoux of our library (in turquoise and red wood combinations—quite orientalJ), and then off to Best Buy to help Daddy spy on any potential good deals on a small flat-screen tv to complement our library remodel-project, then we made a quick pit stop to get you a cheese-dog, Ms. Bodhi, and you a plain hot dog, Mister Buddha (oh, yeah, after we made a drive-through run of Subway for a sale sandwich for Mommy and DaddyJ).

After arriving back home, we enjoyed our lunch and made our way down for an afternoon nap. By late afternoon, we were gearing up our preparation for our early morning departure, as well as settling in for a quiet evening of watching a cartoon show together.

All of us were quite obviously tired, as evening disappeared and we prepared the two of you for “night, night” which surprisingly proved uneventful. Mommy and Daddy attempted to watch tv together, after we both agreed to call a peace-treaty on the library project and rest up for our road-trip tomorrow. Mommy (and Daddy) have fallen behind of keeping up with our journaling of your travels along the mellow brick road, but even our desire to not fall further behind proved insufficient to keep us going—Mommy was beginning to not feel well and Daddy somehow has suffered a mystery injury to his right foot (which feels brokenL) and can hardly stand to bear weight on it to walk!

All-in-all, this day started fast and furious, and faded quickly to exhaustion, and the only real level of energy was that of expectation of a big day tomorrow! “Night, night” family and friends---please send along with your holiday good will some energy barsJ!!!

Bodhi Meltdown

Good Morning Daddy!  Daddy has been letting Mommy sleep in an extra hour the last few days :)  It's Mommy's "sleepy week" of the month, the one that proceeds Mommy's "bad week" of the month... Mommy only has a good 2 to 2 1/2 weeks a month ha/ha!  Anyway, both Mommy and Daddy have to work this evening, Mommy earlier than Daddy.  We ate breakfast and lunch together, as well as played together.  You two went down for a much needed afternoon nap, excited about going to Grandmoo's when you awakened.  Daddy and Mommy decided rather than having Mommy awaken you two early from your nap, we would let you guys sleep and Daddy would take you to Grandmoo's before he had to be at work.  

Bodhi, you weren't ready to wake up by the time Daddy had to leave for work, you had one of your infamous Bodhi meltdowns with Daddy.  Mommy can only imagine how that went over ha/ha.  Daddy got you both dressed and packed into the car, and then you were off to Grandmoo's house.  Bodhi, you went into meltdown once again when you arrived.  Both Grandmoo and Daddy tried calming you down, and eventually you did :(

Grandmoo called Mommy while I was at work, she cooked you both this huge delicious meal, neither of you would eat ha/ha It must have not been all that delicious!  Grandmoo asked if you two had ate before Daddy dropped you off, and Mommy reported that you hadn't.  My only guess is that you were still recovering from your meltdown Bodhi girl, and Jude, you wanted to play a while longer before eating.

When Mommy got off work and arrived back in town, I came and picked you two up.  We headed home and Daddy came out to help unload the two of you.  You two were ready for bed time, and so off to sleepy town you went.  Sean Franky came over and watched basketball games with Daddy while Mommy did some painting in Daddy's office.  We then retired for the night.  Sweet dreams my sweet sweet babes!

Mommy doesn't have any pictures to post of the two of you... Grandmoo was overwhelmed, so here are a few inside pictures of our Christmas decorations :)

Foyer... I opted to put our trees in other rooms other than our living room so that you, Mr. Buddha wouldn't be constantly knocking it over ha/ha

Notice Mommy got the piano and the piano bench finished :)

Stockings... one Sister Kelly made you, Bodhi, one made from Great Grandma Grills' fur coat :( Murffee's old stocking, a stocking I added bling too several years back, and a few others Daddy and I have collected over the years.

Mommy's trees!  Mommy added the "Doggy Parade" that Debbie Riffe bought me for a graduation present :) It fits in nicely! 

The bottom lights finally pooped out :( UGGGH!  Mommy doesn't ever take our decorations off our trees (we have too many) so this is going to be a chore to add new lights!

Mommy's Alice In Wonderland book tree... still have to do some finishing up though!

Mr. Murff and Mr. Arlo :)

A Global Warming November Day

This morning Mommy got us all cleaned up and our house picked up in preparation of the cable guy arriving to install and switch our cable from At&t to Comcast.  GiGi came over to help entertain the two of you, and it was a beautiful day outside :)  So, we headed outside.  Daddy decided to use some of his time to extend his holiday vacation.  Daddy stayed inside getting work done while we played outside.  You two rode your bikes, played in the sandbox, and were pushed on your swings.  Bodhi, Mommy gave you and "under dog" and you with your slick yoga pants face planted :(  You quickly recovered and were more in shock than hurt.  After several kisses and hugs, you were back to normal.  Daddy had Mommy come inside and help with projects...I've been painting his office (and repainting), so it's been a chore to get books and bookcases moved!  Mommy then ran to the store to pick up some project supplies and returned to Daddy making you guys an egg sandwich for lunch.  You two ate your lunches at your picnic tables.  GiGi had to get going, this week is a stressful week for GiGi....preparing Thanksgiving dinner for all of Gi-Pa's family, but you two were a little mini escape from all her stress :)

You two went down for an afternoon nap and Mommy got to work painting.  Mommy and Daddy managed to sneak a nap in too.  Daddy had to go to his evening job, so Mommy played with you two... you two painting pictures and running around, while I made dinner.  We ate dinner together listening to our music, and then it was off to the bath tub.  After some additional post-bath playtime, you two headed to sleepy town.  Sweet dreams my sweet sweet babes.  

PS Mommy will have to load pictures later, I left the camera at Grandmoo's :(

Holiday Spirit

This week-end got off to a jump-start in holiday spirit with a special, generous gift from one of Mommy’s friends, Laura. Today was a substantial continuation of that holiday spirit with decorating projects around the house.

Brother Sean Francis came over and helped bring our Christmas trees in to the house from the garage (by “help,” of course, he carried them both by himselfJ). Mommy thereafter, with the help of two special elves named Emilia Bodhi and Jude Liam, set about converting our home into a majestic, magical, holiday wonderland! By late night, when Mommy’s gifts of arrangement were complete, our house sincerely looked like a show-home!

This year, Mommy especially dedicated herself to outdoor lighting in preparation of the Seiberling Mansion official holiday commencement celebration scheduled for next Saturday when folks stroll the grounds of the holiday-decorated mansion and take horse-drawn carriage rides around the neighborhood. Mommy vowed last Thanksgiving when we moved into our new home that by the following year our house would be a show-home for the neighborhood holiday season. Mommy keeps her word, and has the talent to back up her pledgeJ!

Daddy had to keep the two of you quartered in the living room with doors closed while Mommy ventured out onto our roof to hang her icicle light arrangements from the roof edge. Daddy was a nervous wreck the entire time Mommy completed this project. Mommy needed some additional lighting accruements, so Daddy was dispatched to Wal-Mart on a mission.

Sure enough, Wal-Mart was jam-packed with holiday season shoppers, so Daddy hurriedly found the lights and searched out a few grocery items and got in the long, long, long line to await his term to pay and hurry home. While standing in line and slowly proceeding toward the register, an older man behind in line made conversation with Daddy. He spoke of loving the holidays, but not liking the long lines and crowed shopping. He also asked Daddy if he thought the bag he was holding looked to exceed five pounds in weight, observing he only had two dollars but was fairly certain his “two yams” would not exceed the expected weight and cost more than he had. The man seemed kind and friendly and Daddy, frankly, related to an understanding of the anxiety expressed by the man. Finally, when Daddy got to the register and placed his store items there, Daddy then expressed to the store clerk to include the yams on his bill. The yams were hardly an expenditure, but they indeed exceeded two dollars, and the man expressly stated his appreciation to Daddy, and accepted his inexpensive but sincerely offered holiday gift. A man and woman couple standing next in line commented to Daddy how incredibly thoughtful that was, and Daddy responded it fell short of being incredible but sure made one feel incredible, and they commented they too were going to offer some help to someone.

That, big or small, is what “paying it forward” is all about. We, as a family, have a wonderful life, a beautifully designed (by interior decorator genius, Mommy) and holiday decorated home, and more and special blessings than can be measured. It is a season of giving thanks, and we do. And we will. Thank you, again, Laura for starting our season out with an act of friendship, kindness, and generosity. Thank you, anonymous man, for making Daddy a better man, and for an opportunity to remind Mommy why Daddy is her hero and to inspire her even more with the spirit of giving. And thank you to all our friends and family for sharing in the joy of our blessings! Happy Thanksgiving!

Lunch time, right before nap time :)  We didn't fix lunch, we all ate cold leftover pizza together!

We never stopped to put clothes on today... we decorated in our jammies all day and into the evening :)

The very last decorating project of the night... your guy's individual Christmas trees for your rooms!  

You both were so excited and got busy right away!  

Bodhi, you had a special ribbon arrangement at the top of your tree :)

And when your little bother wanted to put an ornament on your tree, you let him... only after you showed him the exact spot you wanted it hee/hee

"Right there Buddha, good job!"

Cinderella

Cinderella, Cinderella, Cinderella!!! Mommy’s friend Laura contacted her and told her that she and her daughters were sick and so they couldn’t make it to a Beef ‘N Boards children’s theatre production of Cinderella and asked if we would like to go. Laura would not accept any payment for the generous offer of these tickets, she just asked that we “pay it forward.” Daddy hasn’t ever met Laura, but her generosity and that statement tells everything one needs to know about her! So, Laura left the tickets in her mailbox for Daddy to come by and get on Friday, and we anxiously awaited this day for our adventure!

After Daddy got off work, and after a small snack for lunch, we packed up and headed to Indy! The two of you fell asleep on the ride, as Mommy and Daddy suspected. Daddy stopped in Carmel at a shopping center for Mommy to go to a Hobby Lobby in search of some Christmas lights, and Mommy suggested Daddy drive thru some restaurant for some French fries in anticipation of the two of you awakening. Daddy no sooner pulled into line at the Chick-fil-lay drive-through than you both awakened asking for Mommy. Daddy assured you both we would pick up Mommy after we placed our order for two orders of potato griddles and a chicken sandwich (for Mommy and Daddy to shareJ).

We returned to the front of the store to pick up Mommy just as she was exiting the store! Back into holiday trafficL, we continued on our journey. We arrived at the theatre about an hour before the play began and sat in the lobby, after of course purchasing each of you a magic light wand (and a Dora doll collection for you Ms. Bodhi) from the gift shop. Daddy and Mommy spoke to one of the theatre representatives and explained that we only had three tickets, that we needed to purchase another ticket,  and she asked how old you were, Buddha. We told her you were two and she said we’ll pretend “he’s 18 months and just let him inJ.” It was your first major theatrical performance, Jude Liam, playing an 18 month old, and you acquitted yourself admirablyJ.

A good number of the girls accompanied by their Moms and Dads in attendance for the play were wearing princess gowns and outfits, but none outdid your radiant beauty in your red dress, Emilia Bodhi! When the play was over, and as many, many people walked by the enclosure we were in, Daddy watched as so many peopled smiled at both of you, and especially expressed recognition of your beauty, little princess! You insisted you, too, wanted to be a princess Mister Buddha, and it was only upon arrival at the parking lot that you finally agreed to take off your sister’s Dora apron J!  Actually, Daddy is mistaken, it was an during the hour prior to the show, sitting in the lobby J

The play was, through a child’s eye, magnificent!!! Both of you were enthralled and enchanted from the opening moment!!! Each of you applauded enthusiastically throughout the performance, and in addition to expressing countless times that you wanted to “go down there” to the stage, Buddha, you also exclaimed quite loudly several times while pointing your index finger threateningly at the wicked step-mother, “mean, mean step-motherJ”! You were both, to say the least, precious to witness enjoying this remarkable production and talented presentation.

After the play we stopped at a nearby Wal-Mart to purchase some Christmas lights (Mommy hadn’t found what she wanted at Hobby Lobby) and another pair of pants for you, Jude Liam, your wet diaper exploded during the playJ. We then stopped at a tasty barbecue restaurant called Famous Dave’s for dinner before heading home. Almost everyone slept happily on the way homeJ, and Mommy and Daddy vowed to make a children’s theatre event an annual tradition hereafter, or should one say “Happily ever after…”. Night, night precious angels! And thank you, so very, very, very much Laura and Troy!

In the lobby of Beef & Boards... making faces across the room at your little "princess" brother ha/ha :)

Hee/hee  Mommy refused to let you wear your sister's pink princess dress, but you did manage to talk me into allowing you to wear your sister's Dora apron ha/ha  

Buddha and Bodhi watching as the actors head backstage to get ready for their next show :)

Boy's Section!  

Girl's Section :)

Stage!

Jude made a tent under the table... once the show started you were kept entertained the entire time :)  That says A LOT!

"Look Momma!"

Evil step-mother!

After the show... Princess Bodhi with the Fairy Godmother and the King! :)

Princess Bodhi and Cinderella, FINALLY!
After you got your picture taken with the Fairy Godmother and King, you went into meltdown... the line was stretched to the street and you didn't think you had to wait in line.  Mommy tried explaining that we could go to the car and wait for the line to go down, but you insisted on crying as we passed everyone in line (THE ENTIRE LINE)!  You never throw public tantrums, thankfully we had an audience of 50 when you decided to have your 1st!!!

You were the very last one to meet Cinderella... and they were all anxious to get going... probably for an after show drink is my guess ha/ha  

Jude, you said you didn't want to meet any of the characters, so you waited in the car with Daddy, playing Mommy's cell phone game (the one your cousin, Nathan, created) :)

You decided after your sister and I came back to the car, and after hearing your sister's adventure with Cinderella... you wanted to see her!  They were long gone Buddy!

Ms. Momma Allie to the Rescue!

Mommy is playing catch-up again :/  It's been a crazy weekend and I'm trying to remember Friday!  Oh yes!  Mommy started painting Daddy's office yesterday and ended up hating the paint color, so we were off to the store (no showers/no make-up/no grooming what-so-ever) bright and early. We picked up our paint, a hot dog for the two of you, and headed home.  Once home, you two wanted to play outside for a while, so you played on your swings and then we headed inside so you guys could eat your super nutritious lunch, a cheese dog for you, Bodhi, and a plain dog for you Buddha.  You two were wore out from our paint store adventure/swinging, and you both actually said you were ready for bed.  Bodhi, you asked Mommy to lay down with you and take a nap, but by the time we made it upstairs, got Bubby tucked in, you were wide awake.  Daddy got off work early this Friday so once you laid eyes on Daddy nap time was over.  Mommy got busy painting the piano bench (a bright yellow and of course a glaze), and Daddy went to get GiGi's and Gi-Pa's truck to pick up a church bench.  When Daddy dropped the bench off, you Ms. Bodhi, came walking out of the house, no pants, just boots and a shirt ha/ha and you told Mommy and Daddy that you were going with Daddy to drop Gi-Pa's truck off hee/hee  Daddy packed you in the back seat of the truck, and when you two arrived at GiGi's and Gi-Pa's, Daddy told GiGi to come out to the truck, "she wasn't going to believe what he found in the back."  GiGi busted up laughing when she saw you sitting there without your pants on :)  

Everyone knows what happened next... you stayed and had dinner with GiGi and Gi-Pa!  When Daddy arrived back home, Buddha had got up and found Mommy working downstairs.  You've started to get out of your bed now, yikes!  As you came down the stairs you said, "Oooooh Momma, yellow for me?"  Mommy told you, "yes, I painted the piano bench with sunshine for you, Buddha."  You then pointed to the piano and said, "the piano is blue for Bo Bo, Momma?"  You are talking so much!  Non-stop talk, talk, talk!  Well, when you aren't sneaking into vents little mister!  

Jude, you watched as Mommy painted, then Mommy had some quality one on one time with you before getting back to painting Daddy's office.  You then had some Daddy time, you and your Daddy butt heads big time most nights.  Daddy took you with him to the Dollar Store to pick up bread, and then to pick up our Friday night treat... Pizza.  Bodhi, you had requested we have pizza night, and then you go and eat at GiGi's, Mommy hates pizza!  Buddha, you loved your dinner time with just Mommy and Daddy :)  You kept saying, "my pizza party!"  Once Bodhi arrived home, grinning from ear to ear, you two played the remainder of the evening before going night night.  Mommy got you both tucked in and continued to paint.  Jude, you woke up a couple of hours later, and you were sleep walking.  Mommy couldn't figure out what was so different about the way you were acting... but I quickly figured it out, you were most definitely sleep walking.  Mommy had accidentally woke you up, trying to figure out what the heck you were doing and saying, you were a mess!  Mommy couldn't calm you down for anything.  Ms. Allie follows Mommy everywhere, so she was in your room with me, trying to get you to calm down.  Ms. Allie took upon herself to hop in bed with you and lay her head on your shoulder.  You instantly stopped crying and snuggled up with her.  Mommy gave you a kiss, told Ms. Allie to stay, and then shut your door.  You slept the rest of the night :)  YAY Ms. Allie!  

However, when 4am rolled around and Ms. Bodhi started crying that her tv had turned off (you, Ms. Bodhi, wake up immediately if your television shuts off-such a horrible horrible bad habit , Ms. Allie started crying and wanting our of your room Jude.  Thankfully I managed to get her out without you waking back up.  Ms. Allie jumped in Mommy's bed and went back to sleep :)  

PS I managed to give you both a bath sometime in there, which was important since tomorrow we are going to Beef and Boards (sp?) to see a Cinderella production!!!!!  You two are super excited.  Mommy's friend from HS, Laura Stiner (married to Aunt Ti's brother, Troy) called to see if we wanted her ticket because her girls are sick :(  She gave us the tickets free with the instructions to "pay it forward." :)  Thank you Laura and Troy!!! :)

Thank You Amy Little!!! :)

Mommy spent Thursday morning with the two of you, per our usual morning routine... coffee, coffee, juice and breakfast for babies, and more coffee for Momma :)  You two were super excited to go to Grandmoo's and GiGi's for the evening while Momma worked, so our morning went smoothly.  You two played "princess," legos, and ran around the house chasing each other :)  Mommy made you both lunch, we sat together eating at our dining room table, and then we started packing things for your evenings away.  Bodhi, you went to Grandmoo's, and you insisted that you take your princess costume and accessories, even a scarf for Grandmoo to wear at your tea party (you had your night with Grandmoo all planned out). Jude, you were all smiles and repeated over and over, "go to Gigi's and Pa pa's, Mommy."  You wanted to take your pink princess dress, well you say "Bodhi's pink princess dress," but I think it's actually yours now ha/ha

Mommy got you both dropped off and then started my drive to Frankfort.  It was supposed to be a long night, but a Family Team Meeting turned into an emotional mess for the family, so Mommy suggested and the treatment team, including the family, all agreed, it would probably be best to reschedule the visit.  So, Mommy returned home some four hours early.  Mommy tried calling you, Bodhi, and Grandmoo first, to see if I could come get you, but no one answered.  Mommy then called GiGi and she said that she wanted to keep you, Buddha.  She said you were being something else.  You are obsessed with registers/vents, furnaces, and pipes.  Everyone, Grandpa Kurt, Grandmoo, Mommy, Daddy, GiGi, we've all explained in detail how everything works, but you can't get enough.  You are now in the very bad habbit, which you've done this for months now but never so frequently, of trying to get in the register vents.  You say, "vent, is the furnace down there?"  Then you proceed to try to climb down the vents to get to the furnace... where the "light" and the "fire" is ha/ha  Anyway, you completely exhausted GiGi.  GiGi was freaking out that you were going to sneak into one and get yourself stuck hee/hee 

After you both finished dinner and had some additional play time, Mommy went and retrieved the two of you.  Daddy was waiting to help unload the two of you, and you, Bodhi, went right to bed.  You, Mr. Jude, wanted to sleep in "Mommy's bed," with Daddy and Mommy.  So a night of tossing and turning, constant conversation (between you and Daddy) kept Daddy up all night long.  Mommy, after painting a wall and a half in Daddy's office, deciding that I hated it, obsessing about what to do next, slept through you and Daddy's late night conversations :)  

PS Daddy came downstairs to check out Mommy's paint job, returned and said, "Ummm next time you aren't sure about a color, just come get me... instead of painting two entire walls ceiling to floor."  Mommy and Daddy giggled about Mommy's explanation of needing to give the paint a "fair chance."  Mommy and Daddy have both decided that Mommy is also color blind ha/ha    

PSS We received our CD from the very talented Artist, Amy Little, full of beautiful photos from our family photo session... after Mommy finishes painting (it's actually Friday that I'm writing this Thursday blog) Mommy will upload several of the photos.  Both Mommy and Daddy couldn't be happier!!  Thank you Ms. Little, you are forever intertwined into our family history... and how beautifully you captured our souls! 



Ironically, this photo has been stuck on Mommy's camera since when we first moved in last year (this exact time)... it's a picture of you, Ms. Bodhi, and Grandmoo (part of Mr. Arlo) in Daddy's office.  Grandmoo was making fun of all of Daddy's books and she picked one up and said, "Oh Bodhi, I'm sure your intersted in this one... and she started reading it to you ha/ha  These are all the books that Mommy is currently battling to paint Daddy's office!!!  OH Boy!



You and Grandmoo are both weirdos ha/ha!!!

I'm certain you had been watching Grandmoo show you how to use the magnifying glass... this is exactly how she looks when she uses it hee/hee